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Phoenix Company Announces Walnut Recall, Names California Distributor

In the third walnut recall in less than a week, Sun Tree LLC of Phoenix, AZ, announced May 23 that it was voluntarily recalling 46 cases of 24-count, 12-ounce produce bags.

The company identified the product as California Grown Shelled Walnuts with Lot No. 42720, Best by 12/11/2014, UPC code 69887507806. The walnuts were sold to retailers in Kansas City, KS, in March of this year.

Sun Tree said it was recalling the walnuts because of the possibility of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, although it noted that third-party lab testing did not reveal any harmful pathogen and that no illnesses or customer complaints had been received to date.

The company stated that this voluntary recall was initiated after FDA sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in walnuts from a California supplier, Golden State Foods, which also supplied the walnuts packed for retail in Kansas City, KS. All walnuts processed in the facility during the same time frame as the product found positive are being recalled to ensure the highest degree of public safety.

Consumers who have purchased walnuts are urged not to consume them. Consumers are advised to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with any questions may call Glen Kerby at 1-623-707-5604, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT weekdays.

Information about the two other recent walnut recalls can be found here and here.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.